If you hang around cyclists you’ll notice their shoes make click-clack sounds when they walk.
Cycling shoes have special cleats molded into the soles. The cleats attach to a particular pedal, so the rider can both pull and push on the pedals. You “clip in” by pressing your heel straight down and “clip out” by twisting your ankle slightly outward to release the attachment mechanism.
Clips allow a more efficient and comfortable pedaling stroke, but using them involves a learning curve. And here’s the thing: you can’t learn sitting still. You have to practice while the bike is moving.
Clipping in and out eventually becomes a habit, bit at first you have to remember–especially to clip out. Otherwise you roll up to a stop light, the bike stops, you try to slide your foot off the pedal, and you get an embarrassing slow-motion fall while your foot remains stuck to the pedal.
Nobody’s ready for clips. When you buy your first pair of cycling shoes, bike shop guys will tell you to expect 2 or 3 of these falls. So you just begin, knowing you’re not ready and you’ll likely fall, because it’s the only way to get started.
I thought about clipping in and out a few days ago when a friend who volunteered at this year’s one-day Prologue told us she was inspired and wants to do the 30-mile ride next summer. She started with a short 4-5 mile trail ride and, in her words, “nearly fainted” near the top of a hill.
She’s not ready, but that’s the point. NOBODY’S ready when they begin. If my friend waits until she’s ready before she starts training, she’ll never do that 30 miles. By starting now, before she’s ready, she can ride a little each day and gradually increase the distance. She’ll have a lot of fun and before long she’ll cruise up that hill.
What’s that thing you want to do? If it’s big enough to bother with, it’s probably a little scary. Who wants to nearly faint on a hill or fall at a stoplight while everyone laughs?
But stop telling yourself you’ll get started as soon as you’re ready because you likely won’t be ready until you start.
Are you inspired by the FREEDOM TOUR? Is there a place in your heart that looks at this crazy adventure and wants to jump in…but, you’re not ready. You don’t have a bike, you’ve never biked this many miles, you’ve never volunteered for anything like this.
Check out this page. Flip through the photos of 36 people who’ve done the 500-mile tour, many multiple times. 36 folks who weren’t ready until they started.
You’re probably not ready to do the tour right now. That’s no reason not to begin. If you’re not sure how, contact us and let’s talk.